Funeral program for Mrs. Mary L. Poe Harper

FINAL TRIBUTE
MRS. MARY L. POE HARPER
1923 - 1997
MONDAY
September 22,1997
ST. JOHN MISSIONARY
BAPTIST CHURCH
CLAXTON, GEORGIA
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
ENTRUSTED TO:
HARPERS FUNERAL HOME
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A TRIBUTE
My mother was very special. She was a strong woman, not in
stature but in her heart. Mom was a Do-er, she had foresight wisdom
and incredible knowledge and she did not mind sharing these things.
Mom was a good woman, who I not only loved but respected as
mother and my friend. Loving Mom was easy, for she only wanted the
best for me.
Great men and women are remembered for the invaluable gifts
they share with us and Mom will always be in our hearts for her vision,
her spirit, her generosity and love of family.
Mary, we hardly knew when you. We were blessed
By your life but sadden by your passing.
Goodbye, gentle princess, day is done, the
night reigns.
Love,
J H N
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OBITUARY
Mrs. Mary L. Poe Harper
Mary L. Poe Harper was born July 28, 1923 in Hagan, Georgia to the late Mrs. Bessie
Kennedy Poe (Byrd) and Mr. Julius Poe. She was also the step-daughter of the late Mr. Houston
Collier Byrd. Mrs. Harpers family lineage derives from upper North Carolina in the late 1800s. She
was a great-granddaughter of Dr. Wyatt Kennedy and Mrs. Jennie Kennedy and the granddaughter
of Mrs. Leah Mikel Kennedy Martin.
Mrs. Harper attended the schools of Evans County and was valedictorian of her graduating
class. She also attended Dorchester Academy and Georgia State College now Savannah State
University. She taught in the public schools in Tattnall County for several years.
In 1943 she married Mr. James Nelson of Detroit, Michigan. This union produced one son,
James H. Nelson. This marriage ended in divorce.
Mrs. Harper made her home in New Jersey for many years. She returned to Georgia in the
mid 50s and was united in marriage to Mr. Willie B. Harper, local businessman and her high school
classmate. This marriage lasted 36 years.
Mrs. Harper was always an ambitious and determined woman. She was active in her com-
munity via many venues. During the mid 70s she became a licensed Funeral Director.
Mrs. Harper was also integrally involved in the war on poverty program. She was employed
by the Altamaha Community Action Program as an Administrator for many years. During this time
she became an avid world traveler. In the early 80s her husband suffered a series of medical set
backs and she assumed the leadership of Harpers Funeral Home. She continued in the capacity
until the early part of 1997. In late February of this year she handed this role to her son and sole
heir, Mr. James H. Nelson.
Mrs. Harper also broadened her own perspectives in the 80s by affiliating with other
prominent Georgia women. She was part of a group that founded the Georgia Coalition of Black
Women AKA 100 Black Women a national service organization. Mrs. Harper was elected its first
state president. It was also during this time that she was named one of Georgias 50 most influen-
tial black women. In 1985 she was elected to the City Council in Claxton. And served one term.
Mrs. Harper received countless honors during her lifetime. These are just a few of those
honors: Ladies Aid Society - 1976; Georgia Federation of Colored Womens Club - 1980; IOTA Phi
Lamba Sorority 1985 (Outstanding Business Award); Georgia Coalition of Black Women 1985; City
of Claxton - 1986; Excellence in Religious Radio - 1992; National Council of Business and
Professional Women - 1979.
Mrs. Harper served her community in many capacities. She was a member of the Board of
Directors of the Department of Family and Children Services. She served on the Advisory Council
of the Regional Veterans Hospital. She served her church as youth director and president of the
senior choir.
In 1991 after the death of her husband, Mrs. Harper established the Willie B. Harper
Memorial Scholarship. As a tribute to both Mr. & Mrs. Harper their son Mr. Nelson will now endow
the Scholarship Fund in both their names.
Mrs. Harper is survived by her devoted son, Mr. James H. Nelson and his wife, Mrs. Lee
Carmichael Nelson; a grandson, Mr. S. Wyatt Kennedy Nelson of West Orange, N.J.; a sister, Mrs.
Aretta J. Poe Sanders of Savannah, Ga.; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Annabell Harper Thomas of
Newark, N.J. and Mrs. Dorothy Harper Simmons of Columbia, S.C.; a fond nephew, Mr. William
Sanders of Savannah, Ga.; a fond niece, Mrs. Doris Thomas Suggs of Hillside, N.J.; several devoted
cousins, Mrs. Adella Richardson, Mrs. Bessie M. Blocker and Mrs. Marietta Y. Bacon; other relatives
and friends.
After seventy four years of life, forty years of which were devoted to her community, we
pause to express our love with respect and humanity.
The Woods are lovely dark and deep.
But I have miles to go before I sleep.
Before I sleep, before I sleep.
MLH
ORDER OF SERVICE
Rev. Stanford Anderson, Presiding
Organ/Piano Prelude
Processional
Selection...........
Old Testament
New Testament
Prayer of Comfort....
Tributes:
Acknowledgements/ ,
Resolution
A Reflection.......
O Lord Most Holy
Cesar Franck
I Surrender All
Rev. Stanford Anderson
Mrs. Gwendolyn Strickland
Mr. James H. Nelson, Son
Owner/General Manager
Harpers Funeral Home
Solo................
Eulogy..............
Recessional
Organ/Piano Postlude
Ms. Margaret Stafford
....Dr. L. Perry McNeal
....Moonlight Sonata
Beethoven

Interment
Mount Pleasant Cemetery
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ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Harpers Funeral Home Staff
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Deacons of St. John Baptist Church
FLOWER ATTENDANTS
Ushers & Friends
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We the family of Mrs. Mary L. Poe Harper gratefully
acknowledge your kindness and sincere sympathy. Although our
hearts are sadden, we realize that God has looked beyond our
earthly desire and fulfilled his heavenly plan.
May God Forever Bless Each Of You
The Family
The family will share brunch with friends and family in the
dining hall of St. John Missionary Baptist Church immediately
after the interment.